Homeland Security

DATE=9/10/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U.S. / INDONESIA (L-O)

NUMBER=2-318899

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Nominee for US Ambassador to Indonesia pledges continued US anti-terror cooperation

INTRO: President Bush's nominee to be the next ambassador to Indonesia is pledging continued U.S. cooperation with that country in the fight against terrorism. His remarks follow a suicide bomb blast at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta that killed nine and injured more than 180. Ambassador Burton Lynn Pascoe commented at his confirmation hearing Friday. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: Appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ambassador Pascoe expressed condolences to the victims and families of the suicide bombing, which he said, is a stark reminder of the terrible foe, terrorism, that the United States and Indonesia face together.

/// PASCOE ACTUALITY ///

"The tragedy underlined once again that we have no choice but to work together closely in this terrible war."

/// END ACT ///

Indonesian police have blamed Jemaah Islamiah, a militant group linked to al-Qaida, for the embassy attack. That group was behind the Bali bombings in 2002 that killed more than 200 people and also an attack on the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta last year that killed 12.

Ambassador Pascoe said U.S. assistance to Indonesia's police, military prosecutors and banking regulators would continue in the effort to combat terrorism. He praised Jakarta for prosecuting dozens of Islamic militants involved in the attacks in Bali and on the Marriott Hotel.

The ambassador also cited progress that Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has made toward democratic reform, and he vowed continued support in that effort.

/// PASCOE ACTUALITY ///

"If confirmed I pledge to work closely with Indonesian institutions and people to help them further promote democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law in their country. The people of Indonesia deserve our strong support for our efforts."

/// END ACT ///

Ambassador Pascoe noted that Indonesia will hold a Presidential run-off election on September 20th, and that legislative elections in April and a first round of presidential voting in July went smoothly.

But the diplomat expressed concern about Indonesia's human rights record.

In Aceh province, he said, the lifting of martial law has brought little effective change in the level of separatist violence. He said the United States could play a role in bringing about a peaceful outcome that would protect both Indonesia's territorial integrity and the human rights of all its citizens.

Ambassador Pascoe also vowed to continue efforts to bring to justice the Indonesian police and military officers blamed for killing some 15 hundred people in East Timor in 1999, when the territory voted to break away from Indonesia. He said it is important to encourage a culture of accountability among the military, the police and the courts.

In addition, the ambassador said it is a priority for the United States to find justice for the murder of two Americans in Papua province last year.

/// PASCOE ACTUALITY ///

"Cooperation from the Indonesian authorities, especially the police and military, has now made it possible for the FBI to make significant progress in its investigation. The Department of Justice announced on June 25 the indictment of Anthonius Uamang. He and others involved must be quickly arrested and tried so that justice can be served in this case."

/// END ACT ///

Attorney General John Ashcroft has said Mr. Uamang was acting on behalf of the separatist Free Papua Movement when he and members of his group shot and killed the two American teachers near the town of Timika.

Ambassador Pascoe, who was nominated by President Bush in July, is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European Affairs. Prior to that position, he was chief of mission in Malaysia and has also served as director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

If confirmed, he will succeed Ralph Leo Boyce, who was confirmed earlier this year as ambassador to Thailand. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/RH